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Do 10 Asian and African rivers generate 90% of plastic trash in the ocean?
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I found this image shared on Facebook [Warning: image contains a bleeding turtle.] with the following text:
Your Straws Did NOT Do This
[image of turtle with foreign body in nostril]
Americans are being told we must risk our health with expensive, awkward reusable or paper straws. All because of this suffering turtle.
But in real life, this turtle was found near Costa Rica, not the US. And Costa Rica dumps its trash directly into rivers and the ocean.
The US never does that. It's been banned by Federal law for 45 years. Discard your straw in a normal trash receptical (sic), and turtles are safe.
In Fact:
10 Asian and African Rivers Generate 90% of Plastic Trash in the Ocean
Americans create almost none of the ocean's plastic.
The World Economic Forum makes a similar claim:
By analyzing the waste found in the rivers and surrounding landscape, researchers were able to estimate that just 10 river systems carry 90% of the plastic that ends up in the ocean.
While I can imagine that third-world countries might not have well-established waste disposal processes, 90% sounds exaggerated.
environment geography plastic
edited 3 hours ago
Oddthinking♦
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asked 5 hours ago
Tom M
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Tom M is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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up vote
4
down vote
favorite
I found this image shared on Facebook [Warning: image contains a bleeding turtle.] with the following text:
Your Straws Did NOT Do This
[image of turtle with foreign body in nostril]
Americans are being told we must risk our health with expensive, awkward reusable or paper straws. All because of this suffering turtle.
But in real life, this turtle was found near Costa Rica, not the US. And Costa Rica dumps its trash directly into rivers and the ocean.
The US never does that. It's been banned by Federal law for 45 years. Discard your straw in a normal trash receptical (sic), and turtles are safe.
In Fact:
10 Asian and African Rivers Generate 90% of Plastic Trash in the Ocean
Americans create almost none of the ocean's plastic.
The World Economic Forum makes a similar claim:
By analyzing the waste found in the rivers and surrounding landscape, researchers were able to estimate that just 10 river systems carry 90% of the plastic that ends up in the ocean.
While I can imagine that third-world countries might not have well-established waste disposal processes, 90% sounds exaggerated.
environment geography plastic
edited 3 hours ago
Oddthinking♦
96.7k30404504
asked 5 hours ago
Tom M
1236
New contributor
Tom M is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– Oddthinking♦
2 hours ago
Rivers can't generate plastic, so no. Besides, this is clearly whataboutism.
– GordonM
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
favorite
up vote
4
down vote
favorite
I found this image shared on Facebook [Warning: image contains a bleeding turtle.] with the following text:
Your Straws Did NOT Do This
[image of turtle with foreign body in nostril]
Americans are being told we must risk our health with expensive, awkward reusable or paper straws. All because of this suffering turtle.
But in real life, this turtle was found near Costa Rica, not the US. And Costa Rica dumps its trash directly into rivers and the ocean.
The US never does that. It's been banned by Federal law for 45 years. Discard your straw in a normal trash receptical (sic), and turtles are safe.
In Fact:
10 Asian and African Rivers Generate 90% of Plastic Trash in the Ocean
Americans create almost none of the ocean's plastic.
The World Economic Forum makes a similar claim:
By analyzing the waste found in the rivers and surrounding landscape, researchers were able to estimate that just 10 river systems carry 90% of the plastic that ends up in the ocean.
While I can imagine that third-world countries might not have well-established waste disposal processes, 90% sounds exaggerated.
environment geography plastic
edited 3 hours ago
Oddthinking♦
96.7k30404504
asked 5 hours ago
Tom M
1236
New contributor
Tom M is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I found this image shared on Facebook [Warning: image contains a bleeding turtle.] with the following text:
Your Straws Did NOT Do This
[image of turtle with foreign body in nostril]
Americans are being told we must risk our health with expensive, awkward reusable or paper straws. All because of this suffering turtle.
But in real life, this turtle was found near Costa Rica, not the US. And Costa Rica dumps its trash directly into rivers and the ocean.
The US never does that. It's been banned by Federal law for 45 years. Discard your straw in a normal trash receptical (sic), and turtles are safe.
In Fact:
10 Asian and African Rivers Generate 90% of Plastic Trash in the Ocean
Americans create almost none of the ocean's plastic.
The World Economic Forum makes a similar claim:
By analyzing the waste found in the rivers and surrounding landscape, researchers were able to estimate that just 10 river systems carry 90% of the plastic that ends up in the ocean.
While I can imagine that third-world countries might not have well-established waste disposal processes, 90% sounds exaggerated.
environment geography plastic
environment geography plastic
edited 3 hours ago
Oddthinking♦
96.7k30404504
asked 5 hours ago
Tom M
1236
New contributor
Tom M is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 3 hours ago
Oddthinking♦
96.7k30404504
asked 5 hours ago
Tom M
1236
New contributor
Tom M is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 3 hours ago
Oddthinking♦
96.7k30404504
edited 3 hours ago
Oddthinking♦
96.7k30404504
edited 3 hours ago
Oddthinking♦
96.7k30404504
96.7k30404504
asked 5 hours ago
Tom M
1236
New contributor
Tom M is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 5 hours ago
Tom M
1236
asked 5 hours ago
Tom M
1236
1236
New contributor
Tom M is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Tom M is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Tom M is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– Oddthinking♦
2 hours ago
Rivers can't generate plastic, so no. Besides, this is clearly whataboutism.
– GordonM
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– Oddthinking♦
2 hours ago
Rivers can't generate plastic, so no. Besides, this is clearly whataboutism.
– GordonM
1 hour ago
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– Oddthinking♦
2 hours ago
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– Oddthinking♦
2 hours ago
Rivers can't generate plastic, so no. Besides, this is clearly whataboutism.
– GordonM
1 hour ago
Rivers can't generate plastic, so no. Besides, this is clearly whataboutism.
– GordonM
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
1 Answer
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No, rivers and other land-based sources account for 10-12%
From Wikipedia:
Sources of ocean-based plastic pollution
Almost 90% of plastic debris that pollutes ocean water, which translates to 5.6 million tons, comes from ocean-based sources. Merchant ships expel cargo, sewage, used medical equipment, and other types of waste that contain plastic into the ocean. Naval and research vessels eject waste and military equipment that are deemed unnecessary. Pleasure crafts release fishing gear and other types of waste, either accidentally or through negligent handling. The largest ocean-based source of plastic pollution is discarded fishing gear (including traps and nets), estimated to be up to 90% of plastic debris in some areas.[3]
Source: Plastics in the Marine Environment: The Dark Side of a Modern Gift
This 2012 review explains a much smaller percentage comes from land-based sources:
Approximately 0.8 million tons annually of marine debris, which is 12% of the total debris input into the oceans, originates from land-based sources, and primarily consists of discarded plastic items (user plastic). In highly populated areas, marine debris comes primarily from the land.
So what about that study?
The study — Export of Plastic Debris by Rivers into the Sea — says in its abstract (emphasis mine):
We analyzed a global compilation of data on plastic debris in the water column across a wide range of river sizes. Plastic debris loads, both microplastic (particles <5 mm) and macroplastic (particles >5 mm) are positively related to the mismanaged plastic waste (MMPW) generated in the river catchments. This relationship is nonlinear where large rivers with population-rich catchments delivering a disproportionately higher fraction of MMPW into the sea. The 10 top-ranked rivers transport 88–95% of the global load into the sea.
In other words: they did not examine the ocean, they examined rivers. And their number does not say that 88-95% of the plastic that has ended up in the ocean comes from these 10 rivers, but that of the Mismanaged Plastic Waste that rivers in particular contribute to the oceanic plastic pollution, these 10 rivers account for 88-95% of that contribution.
But(!) as the study above says, rivers and other land-based sources of oceanic plastic waste account for 10-12% of the total plastic waste in the ocean.
answered 5 hours ago
MichaelK
5,00322234
add a comment |Â
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
5
down vote
accepted
No, rivers and other land-based sources account for 10-12%
From Wikipedia:
Sources of ocean-based plastic pollution
Almost 90% of plastic debris that pollutes ocean water, which translates to 5.6 million tons, comes from ocean-based sources. Merchant ships expel cargo, sewage, used medical equipment, and other types of waste that contain plastic into the ocean. Naval and research vessels eject waste and military equipment that are deemed unnecessary. Pleasure crafts release fishing gear and other types of waste, either accidentally or through negligent handling. The largest ocean-based source of plastic pollution is discarded fishing gear (including traps and nets), estimated to be up to 90% of plastic debris in some areas.[3]
Source: Plastics in the Marine Environment: The Dark Side of a Modern Gift
This 2012 review explains a much smaller percentage comes from land-based sources:
Approximately 0.8 million tons annually of marine debris, which is 12% of the total debris input into the oceans, originates from land-based sources, and primarily consists of discarded plastic items (user plastic). In highly populated areas, marine debris comes primarily from the land.
So what about that study?
The study — Export of Plastic Debris by Rivers into the Sea — says in its abstract (emphasis mine):
We analyzed a global compilation of data on plastic debris in the water column across a wide range of river sizes. Plastic debris loads, both microplastic (particles <5 mm) and macroplastic (particles >5 mm) are positively related to the mismanaged plastic waste (MMPW) generated in the river catchments. This relationship is nonlinear where large rivers with population-rich catchments delivering a disproportionately higher fraction of MMPW into the sea. The 10 top-ranked rivers transport 88–95% of the global load into the sea.
In other words: they did not examine the ocean, they examined rivers. And their number does not say that 88-95% of the plastic that has ended up in the ocean comes from these 10 rivers, but that of the Mismanaged Plastic Waste that rivers in particular contribute to the oceanic plastic pollution, these 10 rivers account for 88-95% of that contribution.
But(!) as the study above says, rivers and other land-based sources of oceanic plastic waste account for 10-12% of the total plastic waste in the ocean.
answered 5 hours ago
MichaelK
5,00322234
add a comment |Â
up vote
5
down vote
accepted
No, rivers and other land-based sources account for 10-12%
From Wikipedia:
Sources of ocean-based plastic pollution
Almost 90% of plastic debris that pollutes ocean water, which translates to 5.6 million tons, comes from ocean-based sources. Merchant ships expel cargo, sewage, used medical equipment, and other types of waste that contain plastic into the ocean. Naval and research vessels eject waste and military equipment that are deemed unnecessary. Pleasure crafts release fishing gear and other types of waste, either accidentally or through negligent handling. The largest ocean-based source of plastic pollution is discarded fishing gear (including traps and nets), estimated to be up to 90% of plastic debris in some areas.[3]
Source: Plastics in the Marine Environment: The Dark Side of a Modern Gift
This 2012 review explains a much smaller percentage comes from land-based sources:
Approximately 0.8 million tons annually of marine debris, which is 12% of the total debris input into the oceans, originates from land-based sources, and primarily consists of discarded plastic items (user plastic). In highly populated areas, marine debris comes primarily from the land.
So what about that study?
The study — Export of Plastic Debris by Rivers into the Sea — says in its abstract (emphasis mine):
We analyzed a global compilation of data on plastic debris in the water column across a wide range of river sizes. Plastic debris loads, both microplastic (particles <5 mm) and macroplastic (particles >5 mm) are positively related to the mismanaged plastic waste (MMPW) generated in the river catchments. This relationship is nonlinear where large rivers with population-rich catchments delivering a disproportionately higher fraction of MMPW into the sea. The 10 top-ranked rivers transport 88–95% of the global load into the sea.
In other words: they did not examine the ocean, they examined rivers. And their number does not say that 88-95% of the plastic that has ended up in the ocean comes from these 10 rivers, but that of the Mismanaged Plastic Waste that rivers in particular contribute to the oceanic plastic pollution, these 10 rivers account for 88-95% of that contribution.
But(!) as the study above says, rivers and other land-based sources of oceanic plastic waste account for 10-12% of the total plastic waste in the ocean.
answered 5 hours ago
MichaelK
5,00322234
add a comment |Â
up vote
5
down vote
accepted
up vote
5
down vote
accepted
No, rivers and other land-based sources account for 10-12%
From Wikipedia:
Sources of ocean-based plastic pollution
Almost 90% of plastic debris that pollutes ocean water, which translates to 5.6 million tons, comes from ocean-based sources. Merchant ships expel cargo, sewage, used medical equipment, and other types of waste that contain plastic into the ocean. Naval and research vessels eject waste and military equipment that are deemed unnecessary. Pleasure crafts release fishing gear and other types of waste, either accidentally or through negligent handling. The largest ocean-based source of plastic pollution is discarded fishing gear (including traps and nets), estimated to be up to 90% of plastic debris in some areas.[3]
Source: Plastics in the Marine Environment: The Dark Side of a Modern Gift
This 2012 review explains a much smaller percentage comes from land-based sources:
Approximately 0.8 million tons annually of marine debris, which is 12% of the total debris input into the oceans, originates from land-based sources, and primarily consists of discarded plastic items (user plastic). In highly populated areas, marine debris comes primarily from the land.
So what about that study?
The study — Export of Plastic Debris by Rivers into the Sea — says in its abstract (emphasis mine):
We analyzed a global compilation of data on plastic debris in the water column across a wide range of river sizes. Plastic debris loads, both microplastic (particles <5 mm) and macroplastic (particles >5 mm) are positively related to the mismanaged plastic waste (MMPW) generated in the river catchments. This relationship is nonlinear where large rivers with population-rich catchments delivering a disproportionately higher fraction of MMPW into the sea. The 10 top-ranked rivers transport 88–95% of the global load into the sea.
In other words: they did not examine the ocean, they examined rivers. And their number does not say that 88-95% of the plastic that has ended up in the ocean comes from these 10 rivers, but that of the Mismanaged Plastic Waste that rivers in particular contribute to the oceanic plastic pollution, these 10 rivers account for 88-95% of that contribution.
But(!) as the study above says, rivers and other land-based sources of oceanic plastic waste account for 10-12% of the total plastic waste in the ocean.
answered 5 hours ago
MichaelK
5,00322234
No, rivers and other land-based sources account for 10-12%
From Wikipedia:
Sources of ocean-based plastic pollution
Almost 90% of plastic debris that pollutes ocean water, which translates to 5.6 million tons, comes from ocean-based sources. Merchant ships expel cargo, sewage, used medical equipment, and other types of waste that contain plastic into the ocean. Naval and research vessels eject waste and military equipment that are deemed unnecessary. Pleasure crafts release fishing gear and other types of waste, either accidentally or through negligent handling. The largest ocean-based source of plastic pollution is discarded fishing gear (including traps and nets), estimated to be up to 90% of plastic debris in some areas.[3]
Source: Plastics in the Marine Environment: The Dark Side of a Modern Gift
This 2012 review explains a much smaller percentage comes from land-based sources:
Approximately 0.8 million tons annually of marine debris, which is 12% of the total debris input into the oceans, originates from land-based sources, and primarily consists of discarded plastic items (user plastic). In highly populated areas, marine debris comes primarily from the land.
So what about that study?
The study — Export of Plastic Debris by Rivers into the Sea — says in its abstract (emphasis mine):
We analyzed a global compilation of data on plastic debris in the water column across a wide range of river sizes. Plastic debris loads, both microplastic (particles <5 mm) and macroplastic (particles >5 mm) are positively related to the mismanaged plastic waste (MMPW) generated in the river catchments. This relationship is nonlinear where large rivers with population-rich catchments delivering a disproportionately higher fraction of MMPW into the sea. The 10 top-ranked rivers transport 88–95% of the global load into the sea.
In other words: they did not examine the ocean, they examined rivers. And their number does not say that 88-95% of the plastic that has ended up in the ocean comes from these 10 rivers, but that of the Mismanaged Plastic Waste that rivers in particular contribute to the oceanic plastic pollution, these 10 rivers account for 88-95% of that contribution.
But(!) as the study above says, rivers and other land-based sources of oceanic plastic waste account for 10-12% of the total plastic waste in the ocean.
answered 5 hours ago
MichaelK
5,00322234
edited 3 hours ago
answered 5 hours ago
MichaelK
5,00322234
answered 5 hours ago
MichaelK
5,00322234
answered 5 hours ago
MichaelK
5,00322234
5,00322234
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
– Oddthinking♦
2 hours ago
Rivers can't generate plastic, so no. Besides, this is clearly whataboutism.
– GordonM
1 hour ago